Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility Feasibility Study

The City has received technical assistance through the State Water Board to conduct a Feasibility Study to assess alternatives to prepare the City’s wastewater facilities for future sea level rise and coastal hazards beyond 2055 – the design life of the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project currently under construction. Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) is coordinating the technical assistance with support from GHD, Inc. The Feasibility Study commenced in Summer 2024 and the first community engagement commenced in Fall 2024 and the second engagement event occurred in the Summer of 2025. 

Draft AWTF Feasibility Study and Environmental Memo

The project team has released a draft feasibility study and environmental memo for agency and public review. Comments are due to the City by February 20, 2026 and can be submitted to eservices@cityofarcata.org or at Arcata City Hall in person.

•    AWTF SLR Adaptation Feasibility Study 1.27.2026 Final Draft

•    AWTF_EnvironmentalMemo_Draft_1.27.2026

•    Appendices A-G

•    Project overview presentation to the Arcata City Council on January 21, 2026 

Public Workshop #2 August 28, 2025

The City hosted a second public workshop for the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility Feasibility Study on August 28 to share progress on 1) assessing vulnerability and risk of Arcata wastewater treatment facilities to sea level rise and 2) determining potential near-, mid- and long-term adaptation strategy alternatives for wastewater treatment and disposal. 

A video recording linked here provides an overview of the information shared at the workshop as well as the full presentation. A pdf of the presentation materials is also located here. Ideas and feedback from community members will inform selection of a range of alternative adaptation strategies for more detailed analysis. The City anticipates completing the feasibility study by the end of 2025 and presenting the City Council with several potential priority adaptation alternatives for future decision making and next steps. 

Public Workshop #1 November 14, 2024

On November 14, the City of Arcata hosted the first workshop focused on long range planning for the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility. The workshop shared about and invited community involvement in four concurrent efforts the City is undertaking related to coastal adaptation and planning for the future of Arcata’s wastewater treatment facility. Click the links below to view each of the project presentations shared at the workshop. 

Local Coastal Program Update Presentation and Poster

Arcata Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Presentation and Posters

Wastewater Treatment Facility Levee Augmentation Project Presentation and Posters

Wastewater Treatment Facility Long-range Feasibility Study Presentation and Posters

 

Next steps for the Feasibility Study project include further developing potential alternatives and costs. A second public workshop will be planned in late spring/summer 2025. 

In addition to long range planning for the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility, the workshop will also cover the City's efforts to update the Local Coastal Program and develop a Sea Level Rise Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan. 


 Stay tuned for further project updates and opportunities to get involved.